Join Poor Man's Whiskey in a special evening of their original Nor-Cal hoe-down and jams as well as a special set of their favorite "Old and in the Way" tunes at the Fairfield Theater in Fairfield, CT this Sunday night, 7/20. Come early and sing along to some of the songs that have served as inspiration to many and given birth to the modern "jamgrass" scene. It will be an evening sure to put a tap in your feet and a smile on your face!Northern California’s outlaw music bards bring a reputation for high-energy live shows and an incomparable fusion of bluegrass/old time, southern rock, and old school jam to stages and festivals worldwide. This “High-Octane Hootenanny” will certainly delight those interested in a foot-stompin’ good time. Poor Man’s Whiskey has evolved into a ragged, spontaneous beast pulling from equally deep wells of story-telling originals, expertly crafted covers and zany on-stage shenanigans.PMW has released 6 studio albums, “Like a River”, released in 2012, “Goodbye California” (2011), “Dark Side of the Moonshine” (a double disk set featuring original music as well as the bluegrass interpretation of the Pink Floyd classic album) (2009), “Roadside Attraction”(2005), “Train to California” (2003), and “Hunnerd Proof”(2002).TICKETS & INFORMATION: https://fairfieldtheatre.org/shows/poor-mans-whiskey-0
Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band are keepers of the jamband flame, paying tribute to their fallen founder with every note. There are dozens of Grateful Dead tributes and side projects but only one man is fit to carry on as JGB’s frontman.
Apart from original songs "Deal" and "They Love Each Other,” Seals popularized with the Grateful Dead as JGB was Jerry Garcia's outlet for performing eclectic, soul and gospel-tinged hits by songwriters he admired including Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Cliff, Chuck Berry, and Irving Berlin.
Melvin spun his Hammond B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so, helped defined what jamband music is today. As nicknamed by Garcia himself, come see the Master of the Universe’s powerful presence in The Warehouse.
Visit www.fairfieldtheatre.org for ticketing information
Jam. Band. Apart, these two words are innocuous. Put them together, and they somehow become polarizing. Whatever your perceptions may be, there are a few characteristics that help give meaning to this loosely defined genre. First and foremost, the artists are expert musicians, masters of their instruments and playing styles. These bands are also marked by their relentless touring schedules, which naturally lend itself to the improv that is a hallmark of the live setting. It's a diverse musical culture that thrives upon the live concert experience - not so much a genre as much as it is an approach to music.
The jamband scene has evolved and is still bustling. There is no shortage of talented musicians who prefer to improvise on stage as they blend genres, taking the audience and themselves on a total sensory experience. Two internationally recognized touring acts come to The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (FTC) for a weekend of jam, funk, and soul. The New Mastersounds and Moon Hooch perform on Thursday, April 21 and Kung Fu with lespecial follows, performing on Friday, April 22.
If you looked at a picture of Eddie Roberts, guitarist and front-man for the supremely funky British band The New Mastersounds, you wouldn't think 'jamband'. His suit and tie set a sort of tone that matches their music: sly, sophisticated, hip and daring - in a conservative sort of way. He is a master at mixing soaring hard bop guitar lines with authentic James Brown grooves. Overall, the band's sound is a steady, up-tempo joyride through channels of soul, Afro-beat, jazz, and old school funk. They're all about the pocket, the groove, and getting you out of your seat. NMS is at the very top of an elite selection of acts that bring the true soul out of funk.
On Friday, April 22, Connecticut local jamband, Kung Fu brings their heavy funk to The Warehouse. Some have asked, “can a band be too tight?” The answer is no. Kung Fu is so tight and so right and has toured alongside some of the best jambands on the circuit. Making funk fusion music “cool” again, the band draws on influences such as early Headhunters, Weather Report, & Mahavishnu Orchestra, and merges those ideas with technical fireworks and a contemporary EDM informed sensibility. The ensemble, a seasoned pedigree that reads like a late-night summer festival all-star jam has been described by critics and fans of Galactic & Umphrey’s McGee alike as “lethal funk”, “explosive”, “jaw dropping”, and “musically mesmerizing”. They headlined New Years Eve on StageOne in 2013 and now return three years later to take on FTC’s new venue, The Warehouse at FTC. Their opening act, ‘lespecial,’ has been making waves as a jamband to watch, performing across the northeast and beyond as an opening act, headliner, and music festival participant.
This isn't just a scene trying to relive the glory days of the Grateful Dead. Rather, it's a vibrant scene of talented musicians, knowledgeable and passionate fans and an unmistakable freedom of self: Jamband fans get lost in the music and actually seem to enjoy themselves. And, really, what's to hate about that?
The experience is always diverse and invariably outstanding. These FTC return acts are a must-see for fans of the genre and those willing to experience artists who have mastered their craft.
The New Mastersounds and Moon Hooch in The Warehouse
Thursday, April 21
7PM Doors, 8PM Show
Kung Fu and lespecial in The Warehouse
Friday, April 22
8PM Doors, 9PM Show
2016 has been an interesting year for most of the world. With untimely deaths of some of music’s most iconic contributors to a lively political campaign, many people are excited to welcome a new year with open arms. The Fairfield Theatre Company presents three nights of music the last three nights of the year in The Warehouse.
Kicking off the Last Call Concert Series is New York’s premiere international party band, Brazilian Girls. Despite their name, no one in the band is Brazilian and only one of the members is actually female. With music that’s part nouveau disco funk part new wave delivered with an 80s punk feel, the Brazilian Girls are wide-ranging and charming. An air of sultry modernity infuses the future-forward Brazilian Girls, who vibrate with invigorating, globetrotting electricity. Navigating lazy lovers and uncool critics, Brazilian Girls are the descendants of New Wave pioneers like The B-52s, Grace Jones and the Talking Heads and sway shoulder-to-shoulder with contemporaries like Grouplove, Reptar, Of Montreal, Rubblebucket, and Moloko. Known for their fashion-forward stage wear and energetic stage presence, the band will bring just that to The Warehouse later this month.
Following the Brazilian Girls, fans are excited for Ryan Montbleau Band’s return to The Warehouse on Thursday, December 30. Building a bridge between 70s soul, ragtime, blues-folk-Americana, and the contemporary singer-songwriter vibe of artists like Martin Sexton and Ray LaMontagne. Ryan has found a home in the jamband world as much as the folk world throughout his career, able to draw listeners in with soul-gripping lyrics just as well as he can move bodies with his powerhouse band.
“Soul music is an element of what I do…it’s in there somewhere,” says Montbleau about his sound. “Funk is an element of what I do with a band. But I am also a folk artist. I’m a singer-songwriter first and foremost. I want to move you on the outside, make you dance and have a great time, but I also want you to think. I want to reach inside and tap into emotions, tap into truth with the use of words as well as sound. It’s taken me years to make this distinction but it’s been a hugely important one for me.”
Finally, one of the biggest funk, rock and soul bands of the past decade will return to The Warehouse to ring in the new year on Saturday, December 31. When it comes to throwing it down, keeping it there, and getting those on the floor to boogie down, Robert Randolph & The Family Band are masters of the trade. They're renowned for their incendiary live shows, which marry fervent gospel tunes and an irresistible rock 'n' funk swagger. Randolph and FTC will host a VIP pre-party in the Gallery at FTC prior to the concert. With an hour of open bar, food, a meet & greet with Randolph, autographed show poster, and exclusive concert laminate, this is an event for those who want to experience a true VIP treatment. Randolph made the Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Guitarists list be them claiming, "A pedal steel guitarist who made his name playing gospel, Randolph's family band is one of the most intense live acts in all of jamdom.”
Tickets and information to all shows are available at fairfieldtheatre.org.
